Search - Buffy Sainte-Marie :: Coincidence & Likely Stories

A Haunting Reminder of a Great, Underrated Talent

Mark D. Prouse | Riverdale (Bronx), NY | 03/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This should have been a major comeback album for Buffy Sainte-Marie when it was first released back in 1992. Although it was favorably reviewed in several music publications, it sank with hardly a trace. This is a shame, because it is not only one of Buffy's finest hours, it is a great record, period. There is not a single dull moment in the set, for one, and the best of Buffy's own songs, "The Big Ones Get Away," "Fallen Angels," "Starwalker," and the one cover, Cliff Eberhardt's "Goodnight," are, plain and simple, just gorgeous. There is an incredible fusion here of voice, content and musical accompaniment, most all of it created and performed in Buffy's own studio, with many of the instruments played by her, rarely matched by any other singer/songwriter, save for maybe Joni Mitchell, Bjork, or Tori Amos. However, Sainte-Marie is a true original, and sounds like no one else. Returning to the content, the political stuff, much of it aimed at big, corporate targets, hit the bull's eye back when these songs were composed, but if anything, it is all even more relevant now..."The Priests of the Golden Bull," a mostly spoken rant about corporate greed, with spooky music in the background, is hair-raising, and "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" is Buffy at her most angry. "Bad End" rocks hard, while "I'm Going Home," "We're Only Getting Started," and "Starwalker" use real Native American chanting to great effect (Ironwood Singers, Earl Bullhead, and others). Buffy's voice has mellowed with age, and the trademark vibrato is used more selectively than in earlier years, so even those put off by her odd voice in the past may warm to it now (this last comment is not negative criticism on my part; I always found her voice strangely beautiful, and I own copies of all her recordings in one form or another). This is a five-star album all the way, but then, so are many of Buffy's others. If only "Sweet America" and "Changing Woman" would come out on CD! I'm still waiting for those (and keeping my vinyl copies in safe storage). For those of you reading this who are interested, "Starwalker" exists in an even better performance on "Sweet America," but since that album is currently unavailable, the version here will do nicely."

A masterpiece

Mick McAllister | 07/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are songs on various Buffy Ste.-Marie albums that are favorite singles, but this album is the pinnacle of her career and a unique contribution to popular music, comparable to Paul Simon's explorations of international music (Rhythm of the Saints, etc.).



Every cut on this album is clearly "Indian," from the political screed of "Gold Bull" to the painful portrait in "Emma Lee" and the footstomping exuberance of "Starwalker." That's not to say the album tries to embrace the entirety of American Indian experience, but that she has written an entire album of mainstream music that is planted firmly in Indian America.



There are only a handful of "rock musicians" who are likely to be remembered for their art in the next century. Buffy Ste.-Marie is one of them, and this is her best album. Out of print for years; grab it now."

Buy This CD

Mark D. Prouse | 12/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has the greatest music Buffy has ever recorded. Songs like Starwalker, Burry my heart in Wounded Knee, Fallen Angels are amazing. The music is well produced with synthesizers, accoustic and electric instrumentation, and occasionaly Pow Pow singers. It boggles my mind that the music industry did push this CD for Radio airplay. They would have sold a gazillion copies. "Goodnight" is a favorite song for my 2 year old song to go to sleep to. Buy this CD for yourself or even better yet buy it as a gift for a friend. You can't go wrong."